Can you tell us a bit about yourself? We know you started at a very young age in New York and still play all around the world you dj sets. How did get introduced to djing?

It’s a pleasure to be featured on Voce Spettacolo. 2017 will be my 34th year of Djing and I can honestly say I love it more than ever. I started with a pure passion and love for music and in this day and age it’s very easy to want to DJ for the fame and money only. Those aspects are cool but without passion I don’t think you’ll go past 10 years as a DJ.

I’m happy that I started at a young age and had time to practice my skills after school and slowly build my career to where it’s at now. I grew up in The Bronx, NY the birth place of Hip Hop music.

Hip Hop was my first music as a DJ. In my neighborhood you were either an athelete, Dancer, DJ or Drug Dealer. I’m happy I chose to DJ although I was and still am a pretty good dancer!! LOL. There’s a new documentary about Hip Hop on Netflix that I totally recommend as it tells the story about the early days. It’s called Hip Hop Evolution.

You’re recognized as one of the most talented Djs in the world, as you’ve mostly dedicated your career to the mixing experience and less to the producing side of the business. Your Dj sets are very eclectic, combining Latin, House and Hip Hop music.What can you tell us about this?

There are many many talented DJ’s all over the world and since I don’t produce & remix much I have to work harder at standing out with my style of music which as you noted is eclectic. I love mixing Vocals, Deep House, Tech House, Tribal into a seamless groove that makes people dance for hours at a time. But I don’t play Hip Hop any longer J.

The other aspect of my career that I love is the A&R side of the business. Looking after the Def Mix label and working side by side with Judy Weinstein and David Morales is my real passion.

I always say that DJ’s don’t have to force being a remixer producer. Some DJ’s don’t like being in the studio. There are other ways to make it in the business and get recognition. You can be a journalist or work in a record shop. It’s terrible that DJ’s have to force trying to be a producer remixer because it’s the only way they will get noticed. Unfortunately this is what’s hurting our music these days because we can’t all be producers.

You’ve been playing all over the world across many countries, and in the best Clubs. Do you like the aspect of your job? Being always on the move? What do you think about all the people and fans that queue to see you performing?

I always say that I get paid to travel! Djing is my love and not work for me. The hard part is getting on a plane and travel across the ocean, arrive in the city and perform. I always think about the fans that stand in long queues and I know that they are coming out to try and enjoy themselves and perhaps forget about their daily problems by dancing to their favorite music. I always want to perform to the best of my abilites and make people happy. The fans pay good money to come see me and they deserve a fun and entertaining night. It’s important to me. I love interacting with my fans via social networking. It’s a great way to connect and build a good following.

How do you consider the Europeans House music environment compared to US also considering the recent explosion of EDM and latest return to the proper House music?

Europeans grow up with Dance Music as part of their culture where as in America our music culture mostly revolved around Rock & Roll, Hip Hop and R&B. To me personally it’s always more fun to DJ in EU, although Montreal & Toronto are pretty special cities to play at in North America!!!

As you can imagine I’m really happy to know that fans are gravitating to House Music once again. EDM will always be around but I’m glad that fans are starting to understand and accept good House Music. It’s almost as if the EDM fans have matured in musical taste and now they understand the quality of well produced House Music.

Nowadays it looks many young talented djs are getting notoriety in a very fast way compared to the past. What do you think has changed in the recent dance soundscape?

It’s pretty simple, Social Networking!

If David Morales had social networking when he was remixing Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson and Jamiroquai in the early 90’s he too would have exploded rapidly and bigger than he did.

In his days he had word of mouth, some key music magazines but for the most part it was all about real fans that spread the word about him. I can’t take anything away from the young generation that’s receiving fast notoriety for their work. It’s not their fault they are growing up in this era but my only advise to them is to keep grounded and not take things for granted.

What would you say it was you most gratifying experience in your career?

That’s simple. Becoming part of Def Mix in 1995 was my most gratifying experience in my DJ career. I make 22 years at Def Mix in 2017. I’ve practically grown up here and each day I learn more and more and love every minute of it. Def Mix has truly been and continues to be a family to me. David is my big brother that I would do anything for and Judy is like a mom, best friend to me.

And of course the God Father of House Music, Frankie Knuckles always looked out for me and always pushed me to do good things. And although Satoshi is not part of Def Mix any longer he still continues to be one of my best friends that I speak to almost every day. I’m surrounded by people that have my best interest at hand. Even my agent Valentina Cecchini of Omniverse, Italy has helped in the longevity of my career. It’s important to have good people around you. My words of advise to upcoming DJs.

Can you tell us about your plans and programs for the future? Do you want to disclose something in advance to us J?

I’m currently compiling music for the next Nervous Records compilation. Around Feb 2017 the compilation titled ‘Dancin’ will release and it contains all upfront & unreleased music from some of my favorite producers. In the 70’s and 80’s some of my DJ peers had Prelude, Salsoul, West End & Philly International as labels they would not miss a release on. I however came up during the days of Trax Records, Strictly Rhythm, King Street and Nervous Records to name a few.

This makes me a child of the post Disco era, or otherwise known as the House Music era. It was in the early 90’s that cemented the foundation for House. In the early 90’s I worked at one of the hottest record shops in The Bronx named DJ Specialty Shop.

I was the head buyer of dance music and with that position I gained access to the mailing lists to some of the best labels that released dance music. I also recall being able to walk an area of Manhattan to visit 5-10 record labels to get the latest Test Pressing. One of my favorite stops was Nervous Records on Broadway.

To this day I cherish my collection of Nervous Records and 25 years later I’m asked by Michael Weiss, owner of Nervous to mix the next compilation.

To some this might not seem like a big deal but when you’ve grown up living House Music the way I have this indeed is an honor for me.

Hector, thank you very much for your time. All the best for your life and career!